How do you know if you need Knee Replacement Surgery ?
According to statistics, lakhs of knee replacements are being performed each year in India, and it is among the most successful medical procedures. During a knee replacement, prosthetics made of metal or plastic are used to recreate the joint surface.
Knee replacement surgery is a wonderful treatment option when the traditional treatments are not able to fix your knee problem. This procedure generally has a high success rate and is considered safe. Some orthopaedic research team says that more than 90% of knee prosthetics used in knee replacements last longer; that is, they function well for 15 – 20 years after surgery.
Is knee replacement surgery required? How do you know? The choice of having knee replacement surgery is your personal choice based on the discussion between you and the doctor, but there are many other conditions that make you a more potential candidate.
Arthritis.
Most of the patients who are undergoing a knee replacement suffer from osteoarthritis, wear-and-tear arthritis; rheumatoid arthritis (RA); or post traumatic arthritis.
All these conditions damage the cartilage tissue causing pain and loss of motion. If these symptoms worsen, a knee replacement surgery is the best remedy to get relief from pain and other symptoms.
Ineffective Nonsurgical Treatments.
In the case of knee arthritis, the treatment starts with conservative measures like medicines, steroid injections, and physical therapy to provide relief from the symptoms. Sometimes these treatment options provide temporary solutions because they can’t resolve the underlying condition. With time the condition progress and tend to become more severe, rendering conservative treatments ineffective. Surgery could be an alternative at this stage.
Pain interferes with your ability to carry out normal activities or care for yourself.
Your knee pain may begin to interfere with daily activities if you can’t get relief from conservative treatments. Usually, this total knee replacement requirement is decided by how your knee affects your quality of life,” says Dr. Ajay Tiwari, one of the best knee replacement surgeons in Hyderabad. “If you are experiencing pain when walking and conservative treatment options are not working, you may benefit from surgery.”
Having severe pain even while resting, and disturbs your sleep.
Even when taking a rest that is not reacting to other treatments, pain and discomfort in your knees might make you a viable person for surgery. Furthermore, if you experience extreme pain during nighttime.
Swollen knees
A swollen knee may also be a sign that other treatments are not effective.
A knee that remains inflamed even after using anti-inflammatory medicines, steroid injections, and undergoing physiotherapy indicate cartilage degradation or knee instability. This may qualify you for a knee replacement procedure.
Deformed knee
In advanced cases of arthritis, your walking style may be affected, which may result in further health problems in other parts of your body.
Your knee may become bent or ‘knocked’ as the arthritic condition advances. If this sort of deformity persists, a knee replacement will be the best option.
In addition, people with arthritis may also lose the ability to straighten their knees. Furthermore, patients suffering from arthritis may not be able to straighten their knees. In such cases, consult an orthopaedic surgeon because the effect may persist even after knee replacement.
Certain age.
Generally, knee replacement is performed in people above 50 or 60 years because youngsters live a more active lifestyle which may exert more stress on their prosthetic knee, resulting in a shorter lifespan; there is a smaller success rate with second knee replacement procedures.
However, a knee replacement can be performed on a person of any age in the right situations, so talk with your doctor about whether you are eligible or not. Consult Dr. Ajay Kumar Tiwari for detailed information on various types of knee replacement procedures. Call 98499 82203 to book an appointment.
